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GRAND LODGE
of
ANTIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS
OF IRELAND
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION ‑THURSDAY 2nd
DECEMBER, 2004
at
FREEMASONS' HALL, DUBLIN
Present:‑
| M.W. Grand Master |
Eric N. Waller on The Throne |
| R.W. Deputy Grand Master |
George Dunlop |
| R.W. Assistant Grand Master |
William Mawhinney |
| R.W. Senior Grand Warden |
Robert J. Thomson |
| R.W. Junior Grand Warden |
John Greer |
| R.W. Grand Treasurer |
Charles W. Olden |
| R.W. Grand Registrar |
Arthur D. S. Moran |
| R.W. Grand Secretary |
Michael W. Walker |
| R.W. Director of Ceremonies |
Cecil D. Buns |
| R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain |
Rev. Canon George N. Little |
| R.W. Junior Grand Chaplains |
Ven. John G. Murray |
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Rev. Selwood Graham |
| V.W. Senior Grand Deacon |
Richard H. Gray |
| V.W. Junior Grand Deacon |
Alan R. Crowe |
| V.W. Grand Superintendent of Works |
David T. Young |
| V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary |
D. Barry Lyons |
| V.W. Grand Steward |
Cecil P. Tilson |
| V.W. Grand Sword Bearer |
Gordon Morrison |
| V.W. Grand Stewards of Charities |
Roger Matthews |
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Robert McCaffrey |
| V.W. Grand Almoner |
Maurice W. Lee |
| V.W. Grand Organist |
John N. Rowden |
| V.W. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer |
Kenneth Abernethy |
| V.W. Grand Master's Standard Bearer |
Samuel W. J. Craig |
| V.W. Grand Inner Guard |
Robert J. Robinson |
| V.W. Grand Secretary for Instruction |
Michael J. Ward |
| V.W. Asst. Grand Secretary for Instruction |
Robert J. Armstrong |
There were also present:‑ R.W. Brother R. Eric Fenelon,
Past Deputy Grand Master; the Provincial Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh, North
Connaught, South Connaught, Down, the Midland Counties, Munster, North Munster,
South Eastern, Tyrone & Fermanagh and Wicklow & Wexford; the Provincial Deputy
Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh, North Connaught, South Connaught, Meath, the
Midland Counties, North Munster, South Eastern, Tyrone & Fermanagh and Wicklow &
Wexford; R.W. Brothers James E. Weir, Daniel B. Fincher, Kenneth G: Brislane and
R. Stanley Johnston, Past Senior Grand Wardens; R.W. Brothers the Rev. Canon
Richard H. Bertram and the Rev. Charles McCurdy, Past Junior Grand Chaplains;
R.W. Brothers W.J.E. Dukelow and T. Noel Bownes, Past Provincial Grand Masters;
R.W. Brothers Charles Hatch and Cyril R. Foster, Past Provincial Deputy Grand
Masters; V.W. Brother Ralph B. McGuckin, Past Grand Superintendent of Works; VW.
Brothers Terence O. Read, William G. McElwaine, Leslie V. Johnston, George B.
Crooks, John N. Millar and Norman Humes, Past Grand Deacons; VW. Brothers Arnold
J. Cooke, Charles R. Knipe, Mervyn W. Morrison and Samuel H. Boyle, Honorary
Past Grand Deacons; VW. Brother Cecil Taylor, Past Assistant Grand Treasurer; VW.
Brothers Arthur W. White, J. Ardle Agnew, Charles A. McCullough, Samuel J.
Patience, William J. Johnston and Dennis R. Millen, Past Grand Stewards of
Charities; VW. Brothers Brian Sheridan and Samuel Scott, Honorary Past Grand
Stewards; VW. Brothers David A.R. Lovesy and Victor Whyte, Past Grand Almoners;
and V.W. Brothers Norman Jackson, Robert J. Hunter, Thomas A.D. Martin and
William J. Dixon, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers.
SISTER CONSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED
The following Grand Lodges were represented:‑ Scotland,
Canada in Ontario, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Saskatchewan,
Victoria, Western Australia, Austria, Belgium (Regular), Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Yugoslavia, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota,
Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Cuscatlan of El Salavador,
the Grand Orient of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Sao Paulo, Venezuela,
Burkina Faso, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, China, India, the Philippines and the
Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Colorado, Massachusetts and Ohio.
APOLOGIES FOR NON‑ATTENDANCE
Apologies for non‑attendance were received from:‑ the R.W.
Grand Director of Ceremonies; the VW. Senior Grand, Deacon; VW. Brother Michael
R. McWilliam, Assistant Grand Secretary; VW. Brother Robert Bankhead, Grand
Steward of Charities; V.W. Brother Alan R.G.R. Patterson, Grand Almoner; the R.W.
Provincial Grand Master of Londonderry & Donegal; the R.W. Provincial Deputy
Grand Master of South Connaught; R.W. Brother W.W. Hughes, Past Provincial Grand
Master; R.W. Brother Thomas G. Anderson, Past Provincial Deputy Grand Master;
R.W. Brothers Allen G. Megarry, David Benson and J. David F. McKee, Past Grand
Directors of Ceremonies; R.W. Brother the Rt. Rev. Samuel G. Poyntz, Past Senior
Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brothers the Rev. Canon Kenneth W. Cochrane and Walter
Heron, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; V.W. Brothers Trevor Monteith, H.A. Walsh
and R.J. Clinton, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W. Brother Bernard V.A.
Woods, Past Grand Almoner; VW. Brothers David M. Wright and Samuel A. Mackenzie,
Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; the Representatives of the Grand Lodges of
New Brunswick, Tasmania, Poland, Switzerland, District of Columbia, Illinois,
Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Benin, Guinea, the Ivory Coast,
Japan, and the State of Israel; and R.W. Brothers Clarence Bamford, Herbert
Meeke and Douglas Wakefield, Past Grand Representatives.
OBITUARY
Grand Lodge being opened, the Grand Master referred to
the recent death of R.W. Brother Brian Dourish, Representative of the State
Grand Lodge of Mato Grosso, Brazil, whose memory was saluted.
WELCOME BY THE GRAND MASTER
The Grand Master then welcomed all Brethren attending
Grand Lodge indicating he was aware that there were a number of Brethren unable
to attend due to various circumstances including bereavement.
MINUTES
On the proposal of the R.W. Deputy Grand Master, seconded
by the R.W. Assistant Grand Master, the Minutes of the October 2nd Quarterly
Communication of Grand Lodge, which had been circulated, were taken as read,
approved and signed.
INSTALLATION OF THE GRAND OFFICERS FOR 2005
The Grand Master, M.W. Brother Eric N. Walter, was
proclaimed and saluted. The Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Brother George Dunlop, was
proclaimed and saluted. The Assistant Grand Master, R.W. Brother William
Mawhinney, was proclaimed and saluted.
APPOINTMENT OF PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS AND GRAND
INSPECTORS
The Grand Master then announced that he was re‑appointing
all Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Inspectors overseas, mentioning that he
would however be making appointments in the near future in the Provinces of
South Connaught, The Midland Counties, South Africa Northern and Ghana. The
Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Inspectors were saluted.
INSTALLATION OF THE SENIOR GRAND WARDEN
The Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and
presented R.W. Brother John Greer to the Grand Master for investiture as Senior
Grand Warden. R.W. Brother Greer was installed and was saluted.
INSTALLATION OF THE JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN
In like manner the Grand Master invested and installed
R.W. Brother T. Noel Bownes, Past Provincial Grand Master of Armagh, as Junior
Grand Warden. R.W. Brother Bownes was conducted to his seat and was saluted.
INVESTITURE OF THE GRAND OFFICERS
The following Brethren were then invested or proclaimed,
and saluted, as the Grand Officers for 2005:‑
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R.W. Grand Treasurer
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Charles W. Olden
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R.W. Grand Registrar
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Arthur D.S. Moran
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R.W. Grand Secretary
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Michael W. Walker
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R. W. Grand Director of Ceremonies
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Cecil D. Burns
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R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain
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The Rev. Canon George N. Little
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R.W. Junior Grand Chaplains
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The Ven. Archdeacon John G. Murray
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The Rev. Selwoode Graham
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V.W. Senior Grand Deacon
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Cecil P. Tilson
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VW. Junior Grand Deacon
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Gordon Morrison
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V.W. Grand Superintendent of Works
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David T. Young
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VW. Assistant Grand Secretary
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D. Barry Lyons
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VW. Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
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William J. Dyer
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V.W. Grand Steward
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Kenneth Abernethy
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VW. Grand Sword Bearer
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Robert J. Robinson
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VW. Grand Stewards of Charities
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Roger Matthews
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Robert Bankhead
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Robert T. McCaffrey
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V.W. Grand Almoners
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Richard Ensor
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William T.H. Balmer
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VW. Grand Organist
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John N. Rowden
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VW. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer
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Frank Arnold
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V.W. Grand Master's Standard Bearer
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R. Brian Kearon
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V.W. Grand Inner Guard
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John L. Frazer
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R.W. Brother Robert J. Thomson
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Past Senior Grand Warden
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VW. Brother Alan R. Crowe
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Past Junior Grand Deacon
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VW. Brother Maurice W. Lee
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Past Grand Almoner
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V.W. Brother Samuel J. Craig
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Past Grand Master's Standard Bearer
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INVESTITURE OF FOREIGN GRAND REPRESENTATIVES
R.W. Brother John Murphy, being in attendance and having
produced his Patent of Appointment, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a
procession and presented him to the Grand Master for investiture as
Representative of the State Grand Lodge of Sao Paolo, Brazil. The Grand Master
also invested R. W. Brother Alan Rankin with his Jewel of Office as
Representative of the Grand Lodge of Finland. The newly invested Grand
Representatives were conducted to their seats and were saluted along with the
Representatives of all Foreign Grand Lodges with which the Grand Lodge of
Ireland is in amity.
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF PAST GRAND RANK
The following Brethren were then presented to the Grand
Master to receive their Certificates of Past Grand Rank:
CHARITY MOTION
The Grand Treasurer, R.W. Brother Charles W. Olden,
proposed a Motion that Grand Lodge make a donation of €3000 to the Masonic
Benevolent Institutions. The Motion was passed unanimously.
MOTION TO AMEND GRAND LODGE LAW NO. 5
The Grand Secretary proposed a Motion on behalf of the
Grand Lodge Board to amend Grand Lodge Law No. 5 by inserting, after "R.W. Past
Provincial Grand Masters" the lines "The R.W. Chairman of the Metropolitan
Board"; and "R.W. Past Chairmen of the Metropolitan Board". Also included in the
Motion was the. amendment of "V.W. Brethren holding Overseas District Grand
Rank" to "W. Brethren holding Overseas District Grand Rank". The Motion was
passed unanimously.
MOTION TO AMEND GRAND LODGE LAW NO. 155
The Grand Secretary proposed a Motion on behalf of the
Grand Lodge Board to amend Grand Lodge Law No. 155 by inserting, at the end of
paragraph 1, the following sentence:‑ "A Brother wishing to resign from a Lodge
must submit his decision, in writing, to the Lodge Secretary for reporting to
the Lodge; or verbally, in person, at a Stated Communication of a Lodge, when it
must thereupon be taken as an item of business". The Motion was passed
unanimously.
ANNUAL RETURNS OF OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES
The Grand Secretary submitted the Returns of Officers of
subordinate Lodges and the names of Representatives on the Grand Lodge and
Metropolitan Boards of General Purposes, for approval, confirming that only 7
(seven) Annual Returns were outstanding and that the remainder had been checked
and found to be correct. Grand Lodge approved the Returns and empowered the
Grand Secretary to issue Leave to Install to the outstanding 7 (seven) Lodges
providing the Annual Returns were submitted, found to be correct, and that all
dues and fees had been paid by the end of December.
REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES
Vacancies having arisen in the Representation of the
Regular Grand Lodge of Belgium, the Grand Lodge of Latvia, the National Grand
Lodge of Greece, the Grand Lodge of Florida, and the Grand Lodge of the State of
Washington, the Board recommended that the names of W. Brothers Brian A. Eve, PM
of Lodge No. 556, Moneyrea; The Rev. Canon T. Henry Trimble, PM of Lodge No.
799, Castlederg; Percy H. Carmichael, PM of Lodge No. 315, Ballinamallard;
Richard A. Hill, PM of Lodge No. 245, Dublin; and Derek J.M. Moffatt, PM of
Lodge No. 397, Dublin; and be sent forward respectively, to those Grand Lodges
for their consideration as suitable Brethren to act as their Grand
Representatives here. Confirmed.
Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Canada in Ontario,
submitting the name of M.W. Brother William R. Pellow, Past Grand Master, as a
suitable Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Texas, submitting the
name of M.W. Brother Reese L. Harrison Jnr., Past Grand Master, as a suitable
Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered requests for dispensations, under
the terms of Grand Lodge Law No. 118, as submitted by Lodges Nos. 198 and 930;
Lodge No. 321; Lodges Nos. 101 and 137; Lodges Nos. 402, and 494; Lodges Nos.107
and 298; Lodge No. 349; and Lodge No. 2000 (Internet). On consideration of these
and receiving explanations thereon, the Board recommended that Grand Lodge grant
the requested dispensations in each case. Confirmed.
THE GRAND MASTER'S ANNUAL REPORT
The Grand Master then presented his Annual Report on the
progress of Irish Freemasonry during 2004, including his plans for the coming
year. The Grand Master's address was greeted with acclamation and will be
printed in full in the Annual Report of Grand Lodge for the year 2004.
CONFERRAL OF HONORARY GRAND RANK
The Grand Master, with the concurrence of Grand Lodge,
conferred the following Honorary Ranks :‑
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Past Junior Grand Warden
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R.W. Bro. Joseph Chiara
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Grand Inspector, Gibraltar.
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Past Grand Deacon
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V. W. Bro. Alfred J. Barry
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Provincial Assistant Grand Master, Zimbabwe
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Past Grand Steward
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V.W. Bro. George Crockett
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Provincial Senior Grand Warden, Zimbabwe
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V.W. Bro. Godwin A.R. Perumal
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P.M. of Leinster Lodge No. 115, Sri Lanka
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V.W. Bro. Samuel E. Jeyaratnam
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P.M. of Dimbula Lodge No. 298, Sri Lanka
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VW. Bro. Wilfrid R. De Silva
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P.M. of Serendib Lodge No. 905, Sri Lanka
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Past Grand Sword Bearer
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VW. Bro. Stanley P. Carswell
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P.M. of Dunluce Lodge No. 750, Southern Cape
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Past Grand Steward of Charities
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V.W. Bro. Petrus Van Rooyen
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P.M. of Milnerton Lodge No. 610, Southern Cape
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Past Grand Lodge Standard Bearer
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V.W. Bro. Alfred H. Read
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Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden, South
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Africa Northern
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Past Master of the Irish Constitution
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W. Bro. Edward J. Keeley
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Past Master of Lodge No. 185, (E.C.)
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PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF HONORARY RANK
W. Brother John Keeley, having been presented to the
Grand Master to receive his Certificate of Honorary Rank, reported on the
forthcoming event "Placido Domingo in Concert", organised by Events G.L.I. Ltd.,
to be held at the Point Theatre, Dublin, confirming that it would take place on
Wednesday 9' March, 2005. Tickets were to go on sale via Ticketmaster outlets on
Monday December 13f' when it was confidently expected that they would be in
ready demand.
CHARITY COLLECTION
The Grand Master announced that he was donating the
Charity Collection to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland, North and
South. The Charity Collection amounted to €1,340 and this amount was rounded up
out of Grand Lodge funds to €1,500 for disbursal.
WELCOME TO VISITING BRETHREN
The Grand Master welcomed V.W. Brother Dr. Ugo S. Opara,
Provincial Assistant Grand Master, from Nigeria; and W. Brother Frederick K.
Ansah, from Ghana, saying how pleased he was that they had taken the time and
trouble to travel so far to be with us on this important occasion. The Brethren,
on rising to acknowledge the Grand Master's welcome, were greeted with
acclamation.
MASONIC CALENDAR FOR 2005
The Grand Secretary reminded Brethren of the Masonic
Calendar for the year 2005 which had been specially executed and produced by the
Brethren in Munster to mark the choice of Cork City as the EU City of Culture,
2005. Copies may be obtained from Freemasons' Hall or from the Provincial Grand
Secretary of Munster.
GRAND LODGE CLOSED
Grand Lodge closed, following which some 105 Brethren
lunched in Freemasons' Hall, where the Deputy Grand Master proposed a toast to
the health of the Grand Master.
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